Best of Boston

2023 Best Festival

Boston Calling Music Festival

What started as a two-day concert at City Hall Plaza 10 years ago has blossomed into New England’s destination festival. Its fifth time at the Harvard Athletic Complex, this year’s masterfully executed event mixed legacy performers (Foo Fighters, Alanis Morissette), surprise showstoppers (Noah Kahan, Genesis Owusu), and endearing up-and-comers (the Linda Lindas, Mint Green). Staggered set times minimized scheduling conflicts and FOMO; the overall vibe, meanwhile, was great — you can’t go wrong with the Flaming Lips and a Ferris wheel.